Allen County Jail Implements Internet and Onsite Video Visitation
Fort Wayne, IN – March 11, 2019 – The Allen County Sheriff announced today that new video visitation services from GTL has been implemented to enable more frequent contact between inmates in the 741-bed jail and their friends and family.
“We chose GTL as our video visitation provider because they offered the range of solutions that we wanted for our facility,” said Sheriff David J. Gladieux. “As users of their other technologies, including the inmate telephone system and inmate tablets, we are able to integrate the video visitation system quickly and seamlessly.”
The jail has implemented two video visitation solutions. The first solution is remote video visitation. This solution allows loved ones to use the Internet to schedule and conduct video chats with inmates in a set-up similar to Skype™ or FaceTime®. The second is onsite video visitation. This solution allows an inmate’s friends and family members to use stations at the Allen County Jail to video chat with the inmate. This useful option allows loved ones to take advantage of the offering even if they do not have Internet service.
Numerous studies have concluded that inmates have a better chance at successful reintegration into society if they communicate often with their support system. Yet sometimes, geographical and logistical hurdles impede in-person visits.
“GTL is focused on creating opportunities for inmates to stay engaged with their support systems through impactful and frequent connections,” said Curt Clifton, GTL Executive Vice President, Technology and Business Solutions. “We are honored to collaborate with Allen County Jail once again on implementing technology that helps improve personal outcomes for inmates.”
Video visitation has expanded rapidly throughout U.S. correctional facilities in recent years to act as a complement to traditional methods of visitation. It has also brought benefits to facilities looking to reduce inmate movement, decrease the likelihood of contraband entering a facility, and enhance security through better monitoring.
“Video visitation will save the taxpayers money by eliminating approximately 5000 additional officer hours a year that can be reallocated where needed. It will also be more secure, since we are not moving inmates and visitors thorough the confinement facility,” concluded Sheriff Gladieux.
Captain Steven A. Stone
Public Information Officer
Allen County Sheriff’s Department
715 S. Calhoun Street, Room #101
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Office (260) 449-4954
www.allencountysheriff.org
